A sign in Melbourne encouraging people to wear masks as the city's residents entered a seven-day lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19. AFP
A sign in Melbourne encouraging people to wear masks as the city's residents entered a seven-day lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19. AFP
A resident outside the Pangsapuri Permai housing estate, which is under an enhanced movement control order because of a severe increase in the number of Covid-19 cases recorded over the past 10 days in Cheras, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo
A resident outside the Pangsapuri Permai housing estate, which is under an enhanced movement control order because of a severe increase in the number of Covid-19 cases recorded over the past 10 days in Cheras, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo
A mural in Denpasar, Bali, to spread awareness about the prevention of the coronavirus in Indonesia. AP Photo
A mural in Denpasar, Bali, to spread awareness about the prevention of the coronavirus in Indonesia. AP Photo
A sign for contactless service outside a store during a lockdown in Melbourne, Australia. The city is ordering residents to stay home for the fourth time since the pandemic began as the return of infections tests the country's zero-tolerance approach to the virus. Bloomberg
A sign for contactless service outside a store during a lockdown in Melbourne, Australia. The city is ordering residents to stay home for the fourth time since the pandemic began as the return of infections tests the country's zero-tolerance approach to the virus. Bloomberg
Kaironesa Suleman Allie, 76, receives a first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Karl Bremer Hospital, in Cape Town, South Africa. South Africa is in a race against time to vaccinate as many people as possible with signs the virus may be surging again. AP Photo
Kaironesa Suleman Allie, 76, receives a first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Karl Bremer Hospital, in Cape Town, South Africa. South Africa is in a race against time to vaccinate as many people as possible with signs the virus may be surging again. AP Photo
Medical officers in personal protective equipment conduct a Covid-19 coronavirus test on a woman in southern Thailand's Yala province, amid an increase in active case numbers in the region. AFP
Medical officers in personal protective equipment conduct a Covid-19 coronavirus test on a woman in southern Thailand's Yala province, amid an increase in active case numbers in the region. AFP
A pedestrian passes portraits of former Chinese leaders Zhou Enlai, left, Mao Zedong, centre, and Liu Shaoqi in Beijing, China. Bloomberg
A pedestrian passes portraits of former Chinese leaders Zhou Enlai, left, Mao Zedong, centre, and Liu Shaoqi in Beijing, China. Bloomberg
Covid-19 patient Celso da Silva Costa, 76, receives a visit from his wife Tania Lucia Mauricio at the Ronaldo Gazolla Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ronaldo Gazolla Hospital allows vaccinated family members to visit their loved ones, an indication that vaccination rates are beginning to climb in the state and a glimmer of hope for residents after more than a year of pandemic restrictions. AP Photo
Covid-19 patient Celso da Silva Costa, 76, receives a visit from his wife Tania Lucia Mauricio at the Ronaldo Gazolla Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ronaldo Gazolla Hospital allows vaccinated family members to visit their loved ones, an indication that vaccination rates are beginning to climb in the state and a glimmer of hope for residents after more than a year of pandemic restrictions. AP Photo
A worker in Rio de Janeiro passes in front of a sign at a Fiocruz production facility that reads in Portuguese: "We produce the Covid-19 vaccine here." Brazil has administered 64 million Covid vaccine doses, with an average rate estimated at 659,189 doses per day. Bloomberg
A worker in Rio de Janeiro passes in front of a sign at a Fiocruz production facility that reads in Portuguese: "We produce the Covid-19 vaccine here." Brazil has administered 64 million Covid vaccine doses, with an average rate estimated at 659,189 doses per day. Bloomberg
Administering a second dose of Astra Zeneca vaccine to a patient in a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Kigali, Rwanda. AFP
Administering a second dose of Astra Zeneca vaccine to a patient in a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Kigali, Rwanda. AFP
Braulia Amarilla, 75, being injected with a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Asuncion, Paraguay. AP Photo
Braulia Amarilla, 75, being injected with a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Asuncion, Paraguay. AP Photo

Health

What are the Covid-19 variants and how do Alpha, Beta and Delta differ?

A new labelling system using the Greek alphabet was devised by the WHO

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

June 09, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Global health chiefs renamed coronavirus variants in an effort to remove any stigma associated with the countries they are associated with.

Under the new system devised by the World Health Organisation, variants are no longer identified by the area or country of their discovery, such as the Indian, South African or Kent strains.

Greek letters have instead been assigned to the strains in the order they were designated variants of concern, starting at Alpha, for the strain first detected in the UK last year.

The scientific names used for the variants were also ruled out for regular use as they could be deemed too complicated to remember.

Viruses have often been named after the place where they emerged, like Ebola, which was named after a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

But that has been damaging to the countries’ reputations, WHO said.

It lists 10 Covid-19 strains, four of which are described as variants of concern and six variants of interest.

Here we explain the new names and what you need to know about the strains.

Variants of concern:

Delta - Indian variant/B1617.2

This was first detected in October in India, where it led to a second wave that has receded.

The strain includes mutations which make it more transmissible and help it evade the body’s immune response.

The UK recently said it was estimated to be 40 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which itself was also more transmissible than the original strain.

Roy Cooper / The National
Roy Cooper / The National

And vaccines appear to be less effective against it.

Research from the UK, where the strain has recently become dominant, suggests people who have received the Pfizer vaccine generate fewer antibodies against it compared to other variants.

The study, published in The Lancet medical journal, found that people fully vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech are likely to have more than five times lower levels of neutralising antibodies against it.

Madhura Patil, a health worker, gestures as she receives the Covid-19 vaccine in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, standing beside her, in Mumbai, India. AP Photo
Madhura Patil, a health worker, gestures as she receives the Covid-19 vaccine in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, standing beside her, in Mumbai, India. AP Photo
A woman is vaccinated against Covid-19 at Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai, India. EPA
A woman is vaccinated against Covid-19 at Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai, India. EPA
An Indian health worker holds up the Covishield Covid-19 vaccine, developed by Oxford University and Astra-Zeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, at the Government General Hospital in Jayanagar, Bangalore. EPA
An Indian health worker holds up the Covishield Covid-19 vaccine, developed by Oxford University and Astra-Zeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, at the Government General Hospital in Jayanagar, Bangalore. EPA
A beneficiary gets the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine shot manufactured by Serum Institute of India at Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai, India. EPA
A beneficiary gets the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine shot manufactured by Serum Institute of India at Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai, India. EPA
A Kashmiri doctor receives a Covid-19 vaccine at a government hospital in Srinagar, Kashmir. AP Photo
A Kashmiri doctor receives a Covid-19 vaccine at a government hospital in Srinagar, Kashmir. AP Photo
A doctor carries a freezer box with Covid-19 vaccine at the King Koti hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
A doctor carries a freezer box with Covid-19 vaccine at the King Koti hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
Medical workers wait to be inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccine at the King Koti hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
Medical workers wait to be inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccine at the King Koti hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
Sanitation worker Manish Kumar, who according to the officials is the first person in India to be vaccinated against Covid-19, receives a dose of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin vaccines at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in New Delhi. Reuters
Sanitation worker Manish Kumar, who according to the officials is the first person in India to be vaccinated against Covid-19, receives a dose of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin vaccines at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in New Delhi. Reuters
Medical workers wait to be inoculated against Covid-19 at a hospital in New Delhi. AFP
Medical workers wait to be inoculated against Covid-19 at a hospital in New Delhi. AFP
A security guard keeps watch at a Covid-19 vaccination centre New Delhi. AFP
A security guard keeps watch at a Covid-19 vaccination centre New Delhi. AFP
Health workers queue to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Mumbai. AFP
Health workers queue to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Mumbai. AFP
A medical worker prepares to inoculate a doctor with a Covid-19 vaccine at the Urban Primary Health Centre in Kolkata. AFP
A medical worker prepares to inoculate a doctor with a Covid-19 vaccine at the Urban Primary Health Centre in Kolkata. AFP
Employees wearing protective masks wait to welcome health workers at the Dr R N Cooper Municipal General Hospital in Mumbai, India. Bloomberg
Employees wearing protective masks wait to welcome health workers at the Dr R N Cooper Municipal General Hospital in Mumbai, India. Bloomberg

According to Public Health England (PHE), three weeks after the first dose of either Pfizer or AstraZeneca-Oxford, both vaccines were around 33 per cent effective against symptomatic disease, versus 50 per cent against Alpha.

Its latest risk assessment said there is a “high level of uncertainty” about AstraZeneca’s effectiveness against the strain after two doses.

A report by PHE also said people infected by the strain are also twice as likely to end up in hospital than with Alpha. It has been linked to cases of “unprecedented damage” to the pancreas in otherwise healthy people in India.

For these reasons, scientists say the strain is the worst seen to date.

Gamma - Brazil variant/P1

This strain is believed to have emerged in mid-November in Brazil in the Amazonian city of Manaus, which was hit by two waves of the virus.

Mutations make it more transmissible and give it the ability to escape previous immunity.

Data collected in Manaus suggested the variant may be twice as transmissible as previous strains, and could evade up to half of immune defences from previous infections.

People who had the virus before have around 54 to 79 per cent protection against P1.

That explains why the variant led to a deadlier second wave, overwhelming hospitals again, even after studies suggested more than three quarters of the population had already had the virus.

Vaccines also appear to be weaker against it.

In lab tests, antibodies produced by Pfizer’s vaccine could not attach as well compared to the original virus.

Beta - South Africa variant/B1351

This strain was first detected in South Africa in early October, but not publicly announced until December, when authorities said it appeared to affect younger people more than previous variants.

It has since been found in more than 80 countries.

It carries a mutation called E484K, which helps the virus elude a person’s immune system.

And the vaccines do not work as well against it, in particular AstraZeneca, which offers only 10 per cent protection against mild to moderate illness caused by the strain.

Residents queue for a coronavirus nasal swab test, in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters
Residents queue for a coronavirus nasal swab test, in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters
Children wearing protective masks wait to enter the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus railway station in Mumbai, India. Reuters
Children wearing protective masks wait to enter the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus railway station in Mumbai, India. Reuters
A couple pass an electronic stock board of a securities company in Tokyo. Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday after Wall Street hit a high following an uptick in US inflation and an order by regulators to suspend use of Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine. AP Photo
A couple pass an electronic stock board of a securities company in Tokyo. Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday after Wall Street hit a high following an uptick in US inflation and an order by regulators to suspend use of Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine. AP Photo
An activist in a coronavirus mask bearing the colours of the Lebanese flag and the UN resolution numbers calling for the disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias. She was at a sit-in in Beirut, Lebanon, to mark the 47th anniversary of the 1975-1990 civil war, in which more than 150,000 people were killed. AP Photo
An activist in a coronavirus mask bearing the colours of the Lebanese flag and the UN resolution numbers calling for the disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias. She was at a sit-in in Beirut, Lebanon, to mark the 47th anniversary of the 1975-1990 civil war, in which more than 150,000 people were killed. AP Photo
A nurse administers a dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the Nowon District public health centre in Seoul, South Korea. The country resumed inoculations with the AstraZeneca shot this week after a suspension, but will limit use to those between 30 and 60 years old. Bloomberg
A nurse administers a dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the Nowon District public health centre in Seoul, South Korea. The country resumed inoculations with the AstraZeneca shot this week after a suspension, but will limit use to those between 30 and 60 years old. Bloomberg
Actress Thais Bezerra puts on a mask made from a plastic bottle as she gets dressed in her costume to perform in a video recording of 'Giant Dreamers' outside the Museum of Modern Art during the Covid-19 pandemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AP Photo
Actress Thais Bezerra puts on a mask made from a plastic bottle as she gets dressed in her costume to perform in a video recording of 'Giant Dreamers' outside the Museum of Modern Art during the Covid-19 pandemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AP Photo
A woman receives the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Belisario Porras School, in Panama City, Panama. The president of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, announced that another batch of Pfizer vaccines will arrive, assuring that the country has enough doses. EPA
A woman receives the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Belisario Porras School, in Panama City, Panama. The president of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, announced that another batch of Pfizer vaccines will arrive, assuring that the country has enough doses. EPA
A health worker administers a dose of Sinovac's CoronaVac vaccine at an inoculation centre in San Salvador, El Salvador. Reuters
A health worker administers a dose of Sinovac's CoronaVac vaccine at an inoculation centre in San Salvador, El Salvador. Reuters
Students from Suffolk County Community College prepare to get vaccinated during a news conference at the school in Brentwood, New York. Several colleges in the state announced the cancellation of vaccination clinics using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. AP Photo
Students from Suffolk County Community College prepare to get vaccinated during a news conference at the school in Brentwood, New York. Several colleges in the state announced the cancellation of vaccination clinics using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. AP Photo
People receive the China National Biotec Group Covid-19 vaccine in Chongqing municipality in south-west China. AFP
People receive the China National Biotec Group Covid-19 vaccine in Chongqing municipality in south-west China. AFP

Research in Qatar found people who received the Pfizer vaccine were 75 per cent less likely to develop Covid-19.

Alpha - Kent variant/B117

Tests showed the variant first emerged in the UK in Kent in late September.

At the end of October the strain accounted for only 3 per cent of cases in England.

But by the start of February the share had soared to 96 per cent, causing a third wave across the country.

It also became dominant in the US.

That was because the strain is significantly more transmissible than the original virus which emerged in Wuhan.

And because more people become sick, more people are put in hospital if they catch it.

Data suggested the strain is 30 to 70 per cent more lethal than the original strain.

But it does not escape antibodies from natural infection or vaccines.

A trial from the UK found the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine was 70.4 per cent effective against symptomatic Covid-19 caused by the variant.

Pfizer is 89.5 per cent effective against the strain, at least 14 days after the second dose.

Variants of interest:

Epsilon - B.1.427/B.1.429

It was first designated a variant of interest on March 5 and is common in California. It is believed to be about 20 per cent more infectious, and carries the L452R mutation, which is believed to increase immune evasion and binding to cells.

Zeta - P2

Identified as a a variant of interest later in March, it was discovered in Brazil in April, 2020. It includes the E484 mutation in the spike. There is limited information on whether monoclonal antibody therapies and antibodies generated post-vaccination are affected by it.

Eta - B.1.525

Eta was first detected in Nigeria but has since been found in other countries. It was designated a variant of interest at the same time as Zeta.

It includes the E484K mutation, which is believed to help the virus avoid the immune system, and possibly vaccine-induced antibodies.

Theta - P.3

Theta was identified in the Philippines in January before being designated a variant of interest in March. It also includes the E484K mutation.

Iota - B.1.526

The strain was detected in New York and identified as a variant of interest in late March.

There are two forms of the variant, one of which includes the E484K mutation, while the other includes the S477N mutation, which is believed to help the virus bind more tightly to cells.

Kappa - B.1.617

Detected in India in October, it was classified as a variant of interest in April. It split into two lineages, one of which, B.1.617.2, has since become a variant of concern.

WHO has said has demonstrated increased transmissibility in some areas, but appears to be declining. It carries two mutations believed to be of concern, L452R and E484Q, termed as an escape mutation as it helps the virus slip past the body's immune system.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Emiratisation at work

Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago

It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.

Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers

The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension

President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.

During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development

More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics

The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens

UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere

The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens

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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

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MATCH INFO

Manchester United v Manchester City, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match is on BeIN Sports

A German university was a good fit for the family budget

Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600

Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between  £200-600

The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually

Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated 

As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640

Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month

THE SPECS

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

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Most wanted allegations
  • Benjamin Macann, 32: involvement in cocaine smuggling gang.
  • Jack Mayle, 30: sold drugs from a phone line called the Flavour Quest.
  • Callum Halpin, 27: over the 2018 murder of a rival drug dealer. 
  • Asim Naveed, 29: accused of being the leader of a gang that imported cocaine.
  • Calvin Parris, 32: accused of buying cocaine from Naveed and selling it on.
  • John James Jones, 31: allegedly stabbed two people causing serious injuries.
  • Callum Michael Allan, 23: alleged drug dealing and assaulting an emergency worker.
  • Dean Garforth, 29: part of a crime gang that sold drugs and guns.
  • Joshua Dillon Hendry, 30: accused of trafficking heroin and crack cocain. 
  • Mark Francis Roberts, 28: grievous bodily harm after a bungled attempt to steal a £60,000 watch.
  • James ‘Jamie’ Stevenson, 56: for arson and over the seizure of a tonne of cocaine.
  • Nana Oppong, 41: shot a man eight times in a suspected gangland reprisal attack. 
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Company profile

Name: Fruitful Day

Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie

Based: Dubai, UAE

Founded: 2015

Number of employees: 30

Sector: F&B

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Price: From Dh117,059

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Scores:

Day 4

England 290 & 346
Sri Lanka 336 & 226-7 (target 301)

Sri Lanka require another 75 runs with three wickets remaining

Result

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Brraq, Ryan Curatolo (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m; Winner: Bright Melody, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Naval Crown, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m; Winner: Volcanic Sky, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Zainhom, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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Teaching in coronavirus times
RACE CARD

6.30pm Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m

7.40pm Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m

8.15pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m

8.50pm Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m

9.25pm Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

RESULTS
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Our commentary on Brexit
If%20you%20go
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Company%20profile
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Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
Company%20Profile
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